What is its fuel source? Hydrogen I hope.

I'm curious how self driving cars safely interact with pedestrians in crosswalks.

I don't know about everyone else, but with no steering wheel or safety brake pedal, I'm not getting in one of those things... Ever heard of a software crash? In this case it could be a Car Crash.

They are safer because the ego that usually goes along with people's driving behavior, is not even an option offered in this car.
I fear the angry ego driver who feels he/she has been "disrespected" more than self driving cars.

What these really are being used for is to showcase Google's technology that is/will be available to put into production cars. They want to be the "Powered by Google" part of the digital side of your car like the navigation or music system. Think of it like the "Intel Inside" campaign. The car is just a splashy showcase for the real product: Google technology licensed to Honda, Ford, Mercedes, Kia, Audi...Google in every car out there.

These don't go above 25 mph and they apparently have a very soft front end with malleable windshields (for hitting pedestrians, but for that news, I'm a little curious how they would fare in a head-on collision. Or rather, the riders inside.

It doesn't matter how they perform on the road because they won't be on the road. Its all about the technology inside the car. Think of the car as simply a booth at a trade show set up to highlight the technology. You can't drive a booth on the road, but Google can license the heck out of that technology. Target market is the established car industry.

I can imagine a future Darwin award winner jumping out in front of one of these to try and get a lawsuit. If Google is smart, these are outfitted with recorders.

Why would recorders be needed? They are non-road-worthy prototypes and will never be used on the road.

The lawyers are lining up right now. Google, do the recorder thing. Trust me. Ever see Russia? It's real heavy.

He has no clue they will never be on the road does he? Can someone else explain it to him? Maybe we should just let him continue to believe...that may be nicer. Peace.

Don't be evil?

Yeah right. These mind control devices on my streets? Say hello to lawsuits and accidents, bloody bodies and riots.

Going
Overboard
Oscillating
Gasguzzling
Litterbug
Emissions

Read your Ayn Rand.

...and line your hat with foil.

It seems that cars like these would be good in a Taxi service. A while back the city was talking about Pod Cars running on tracks but cars like these would be much more flexible. Good for getting to places around town. And with the traffic situation we are now experiencing you don't really need a car that goes faster then 25 MPH...

FYI. You can be sued for an accident in a car, on a bike, pushing a shopping cart and even while walking. The suit will name who in in control during the incident and who could be at fault. It may be more effective to sue Google than the occupant.

You'll never see me in one of these deathtraps. I'll be living the dream on my recumbent bike, thanks very much.

"You'll never see me in one of these deathtraps."
I know, that's because you can't buy one. Most have figured that out by now, but I'm enjoying your refusal to admit that in our posts. More please :)

Re: "never be on the road"

Actually, the plan is for about 100 of these self-driving prototype vehicles to be on the road as early as next year. The MV Voice article didn't make that clear, but other news coverage has made it clear.